Algarve's Political Shake-Up: PS Holds Power as Chega's Hopes Fade in Local Elections

PS Maintains Dominance in Algarve's Municipalities

The Algarve region, where Chega had hoped to challenge the long-standing control of the central bloc in local government, remains largely under left-wing leadership. The PS slightly reduced its number of municipal presidencies from 12 to 11 but made a significant gain by conquering Faro from the PSD. This shift underscores the party's resilience in the area.

Surprising Victory in Loulé

One of the election night's surprises came from Loulé, where Telmo Pinto, a 'son of Quarteira', broke tradition by keeping the council under the same political color despite succeeding a mayor who served three consecutive terms. Notably, he is the first president from the coastal area: 'Now, it's a fisherman's grandson in charge—we've never had a mayor like that before,' proudly stated Carlos Coelho, a retired fisherman in Quarteira.

In Loulé, Chega only retained the single councilor it had from previous elections, with the real contest being between PSD and PS. The stakes were high, as this municipality is the richest in the region, with a 2025 municipal budget of around 270 million euros.

Local Hopes and Economic Realities

Residents like Rodrigues Januário express hope for improvements, such as a new fish market, emphasizing the community's needs. Despite the focus on tourism—the main economic driver—local identity plays a role, with Januário noting, 'But Telmo Pinto is from here, and his grandfather was a fisherman.' The PSD candidate, Hélder Martins, president of the Algarve Hotels and Tourism Enterprises Association (AHETA), lost by just 79 votes.

Other Key Municipal Changes

• In Faro, António Miguel Pina ended 16 years of PSD leadership after completing three terms in Olhão.
• Silves saw the CDU maintain control for a fourth term, with no lists from Bloco, Livre, or PAN.
• Aljezur shifted from PS to independent Manuel Marreiros, supported by PSD, adding to the political diversity.
• Olhão remains a stronghold for the PS, having had no other party in power since the 1974 revolution, with new president Ricardo Calé securing four mandates.

Overall, out of 16 municipalities, the PS holds 11 presidencies, PSD two, Chega one, CDU one, and there is one independent.